Daisy Fancourt, an Oxford alumna and leading researcher in arts, health and behavioural science, has been shortlisted for the 2026 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction for her book Art Cure, as organisers revealed a final six described as “timely and timeless”.
The shortlist was announced in London on 25 March by the Women’s Prize Trust, which said the selected books demonstrate how vital women’s writing remains to understanding the modern world and imagining the future.
The annual prize recognises original, accessible narrative non-fiction by female writers, experts and changemakers, and is sponsored by Findmypast, with a £30,000 prize fund supported by the Charlotte Aitken Trust.
Fancourt’s shortlisted title explores how engagement with the arts can improve health, wellbeing and resilience, drawing on scientific research into visual art, music, theatre and film.
Her work appears alongside books covering conflict, migration, memoir, political identity and history, reflecting the breadth of this year’s shortlist.
Chair of judges Thangam Debbonaire said:
“Whittling our remarkable longlist down to just six titles was by no means an easy task, but after careful consideration, we are proud to present a shortlist that celebrates six exceptional books and six hugely talented writers, and offers readers collectively a timely and timeless interrogation of our world today.
“Our shortlist shows the power and necessity of women’s writing at a time when recent statistics suggest a decline in non-fiction print sales in the UK. These books are an urgent antidote to mis- and dis-information, written with high standards of scholarship.
“They offer rich and original insights, in what often feels like a fragmented and uncertain world. They are six books of authority, told with humanity.”
Debbonaire also praised Fancourt’s work directly, saying:
“Art Cure by Daisy Fancourt is a work of academic rigor and a compelling story from start to finish. The beautiful case studies illustrate the clearly explained data.
“Daisy is a top-flight scientist, producing large population surveys to explore the effects of different and combined art forms on our health. Whether you are a sceptic, a policy-maker, or just want to know more about how art of all forms affects us – this book is brilliant!”
Executive Director Claire Shanahan added:
“We awarded the first Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction in 2024 because women’s voices were systemically underrepresented in most narrative non-fiction disciplines, as well as being overlooked in review coverage, award recognition and receiving lower advances.”
The shortlist also includes Lyse Doucet, Judith Mackrell, Jane Rogoyska, Arundhati Roy and Ece Temelkuran. The winner will be announced on 11 June 2026 at Bedford Square Gardens.
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